Psalms 33

Praise to Yahweh for His Character and Creation

1 Exult in Yahweh, O [you] righteous, [for] praise [is] fitting for the upright.

2 Give thanks to Yahweh with [the] lyre; with a harp of ten strings play to him.

3 Sing to him a new song; play skillfully with jubilant shout.

4 For the word of Yahweh [is] upright, and all his work [is done] in faithfulness.

5 [He] loves righteousness and justice. The earth is full of the loyal love of Yahweh.

6 By the word of Yahweh [the] heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host.

7 [He] gathered the waters of the sea like a heap. [He] put [the] deeps in storehouses.

8 Let all the earth fear Yahweh. Let all [the] inhabitants of [the] world stand in awe of him.

9 For {he himself spoke} and it came to pass. {He himself commanded} and it stood firm.

10 Yahweh brings to nothing [the] plan of nations; he frustrates [the] intents of peoples.

11 The plan of Yahweh stands firm forever, the intents of his heart {from one generation to the next}.

12 Blessed [is] the nation whose God [is] Yahweh, the people he has chosen for his inheritance.

13 From heaven Yahweh looks; he sees all the children of humankind.

14 From his dwelling place he gazes on all the inhabitants of the earth,

15 he who fashions altogether their heart, he who understands all their works.

16 The king [is] not saved by [the] greatness of an army. The warrior is not delivered by [the] greatness of strength.

17 The horse [is] a false hope for victory, nor can it save by the greatness of its power.

18 Behold, the eye of Yahweh [is] on those who fear him, on those who hope for his loyal love

19 to deliver their soul from death and to keep them alive in famine.

20 Our soul waits for Yahweh; he [is] our help and our shield.

21 For in him our heart rejoices because in his holy name we trust.

22 Let your loyal love, O Yahweh, be upon us, {even as} we hope in you.

Psalms 33 Commentary

Chapter 33

God to be praised. (1-11) His people encouraged by his power. (12-22)

Verses 1-11 Holy joy is the heart and soul of praise, and that is here pressed upon the righteous. Thankful praise is the breath and language of holy joy. Religious songs are proper expressions of thankful praise. Every endowment we possess, should be employed with all our skill and earnestness in God's service. His promises are all wise and good. His word is right, and therefore we are only in the right when we agree with it. His works are all done in truth. He is the righteous Lord, therefore loveth righteousness. What a pity it is that this earth, which is so full of the proofs and instances of God's goodness, should be so empty of his praises; and that of the multitudes who live upon his bounty, there are so few who live to his glory! What the Lord does, he does to purpose; it stands fast. He overrules all the counsels of men, and makes them serve his counsels; even that is fulfilled, which to us is most surprising, the eternal counsel of God, nor can any thing prevent its coming to pass.

Verses 12-22 All the motions and operations of the souls of men, which no mortals know but themselves, God knows better than they do. Their hearts, as well as their times, are all in his hand; he formed the spirit of each man within him. All the powers of the creature depend upon him, and are of no account, of no avail at all, without him. If we make God's favour sure towards us, then we need not fear whatever is against us. We are to give to him the glory of his special grace. All human devices for the salvation of our souls are vain; but the Lord's watchful eye is over those whose conscientious fear of his name proceeds from a believing hope in his mercy. In difficulties they shall be helped; in dangers they shall not receive any real damage. Those that fear God and his wrath, must hope in God and his mercy; for there is no flying from him, but by flying to him. Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us; let us always have the comfort and benefit, not according to our merits, but according to the promise which thou hast in thy word given to us, and according to the faith thou hast by thy Spirit and grace wrought in us.

Footnotes

• [a]. Literally "he, he spoke"
• [b]. Literally "He, he commanded"
• [c]. Or "breaks"
• [d]. Or "nullifies"
• [e]. Literally "to a generation and a generation"
• [f]. Or "the place where he sits enthroned"
• [g]. Or "wait expectantly"
• [h]. Literally "as which"

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 33

Though this psalm has no title to it, it seems to be a psalm of David, from the style and matter of it; and indeed begins with the same words with which the preceding psalm is ended. Theodoret is of opinion it was written by David as a prophecy concerning Hezekiah, as a song to be sung by the people after the destruction of the Assyrian army.